At Bārlad the railway from Iaşi diverges, one branch skirting the river Siret, the other skirting the Pruth; both reunite at Galaţi. Among a maze of narrow and winding streets Bārlad possesses a few good modern buildings, including a fine hospital, administered by the St Spiridion Foundation of Iasi.
In the vicinity of the cities there are traces of a Roman camp.